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Asylum – American Horror Story

Play trailer Poster for Asylum – American Horror Story Oct 2012 Horror Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
84% Tomatometer 220 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Danger lurks around every corner for the patients, doctors and nuns who occupy the locked-down facility that is Briarcliff Mental Institution.
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American Horror Story — Asylum

American Horror Story — Asylum

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Critics Consensus

American Horror Story: Asylum crosses boundaries to shock and scare with sexy subplots and some innovative takes on current social issues.

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Critics Reviews

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Amy Amatangelo Paste Magazine Jan 24, 2013
In general, I'm not buying what the show is selling. American Horror Story: Asylum is about shock value, gore, depravity and the occasional singing number. The show doesn't have a larger message, and you can't convince me that it does. Go to Full Review Rob Salem Toronto Star Oct 18, 2012
We are all too well-educated now in horror-movie tropes to really be surprised by any of this stuff. It's all in the execution, and to his great credit, Murphy executes this horror story with aplomb. And a lot of screaming. Go to Full Review Eric L. Hinton New York Daily News Oct 18, 2012
It's a solid setup. And given the writers were tasked with coming up with a completely new storyline for an established hit, the foundation seems well laid and primed with numerous avenues to explore. Go to Full Review Cameron Ferguson Black Girl Nerds Jun 26, 2018
The season as a whole was so smooth and so terrifying that it's probably the only one I will continue to go back to and watch. Go to Full Review Matt Donato We Got This Covered Nov 4, 2013
6/10
American Horror Story: Asylum is filled with plenty of dark secrets, sinister twists, and unexpected turns - but unfortunately the one thing this psychologically invading season lacks is thoughtful explanation. Go to Full Review Paul Chambers Movie Chambers Oct 10, 2013
B+
The show grabs you, shocks you and keeps you guessing. The only question left unanswered at season's end is "Will Season 3 be half as good?" Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Seth S @sethsmovies Oct 6, 2026 Asylum is great although I prefer Coven. Asylum is a perfect season for what it is, my criticism is far more about how actually ok the mark Asylum is for a horror series, I remember actually being horrified by the Nazi experiments, the gay conversion therapy and the psychologist turning into a sadist, this is genuinely the only actual true horror season, which is both it’s best feature and its worst because it feels like it doesn’t fit in with any grouping of other seasons. It’s too shocking, too upsetting, too dark, too depressing. I’ll also say that I’m still disappointed all this time later that I felt the season wasn’t complete, I felt like Asylum actually needed a part 2 mostly because I wanted more of an explanation of the aliens (or that they were just a psychosis) but also felt like there was a lot more that could’ve been written. Great season. Makes me disappointed with what AHS becomes. 8.5 / 13 seasons horribly written. Bring back the ghost writer of the first 3 seasons. See more Joe L @Hoagie1013 Apr 8, 2026 Every episode kept you coming back for more. See more Dani C. @Danirock Jan 20, 2026 American horror story asylum is by far my favorite season still to this day! It literally had everything you could possibly imagine and ask for in a horror story from the beginning to the heart of it , right down to the end it keeps you on edge . With possession, murderers, crazy people in a mental asylum, crazy doctor doing all kind of experiments!! Unfortunately ahs has not lived up to season 2 asylum! See more Vagner S @RT98188681 Nov 26, 2025 The best season of the show so far, with a well-crafted plot and engaging, charismatic characters. Rabe, Lange, Paulson, and Peters deliver outstanding performances alongside Cromwell and Quinto. See more Nicky A @RT02542971 Nov 24, 2025 I really loved this season as well. Story is nice and the overall message is great. I rewatch this season a lot as well. See more Jonathon J @RT54007015 Sep 24, 2025 More interesting than the first season. See more Read all reviews
American Horror Story — Asylum

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Cast & Crew

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Zachary Quinto

Dr. Oliver Thredson

Joseph Fiennes

Monsignor Timothy Howard

Sarah Paulson

Lana Winters

Evan Peters

Kit Walker

Lily Rabe

Sister Mary Eunice

Lizzie Brocheré

Grace

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Oct 17, 2012 Welcome to Briarcliff Terrifying evils blur the boundaries between reality and insanity at the notorious insane asylum, Briarcliff Manor. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 24, 2012 Tricks and Treats An exorcist is called to Briarcliff to help save a troubled farm boy; Sister Jude's darkest secret is revealed. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 31, 2012 Nor'easter A violent storm allows a group of patients to plan a daring escape; Sister Jude is haunted by her past. Details Episode 4 Aired Nov 7, 2012 I Am Anne Frank A new patient claiming to be Anne Frank exposes Arden's past; Kit learns why Grace was admitted to Briarcliff. Details Episode 5 Aired Nov 14, 2012 I Am Anne Frank Sister Jude employs a renowned Nazi hunter to gather evidence against Arden; Kit makes a surprising confession; Bloody Face is unmasked. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 21, 2012 The Origins of Monstrosity A mysterious little girl is abandoned at Briarcliff; the Monsignor makes a Faustian pact with Dr. Arden; the origin of Bloody Face is revealed. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 28, 2012 Dark Cousin Sister Mary Eunice is terrified to discover a dark angel at Briarcliff; Kit makes a bold move to be reunited with Grace. Details Episode 8 Aired Dec 5, 2012 Unholy Night A murderous Santa wreaks havoc on Briarcliff; Sister Jude faces off with the devil; Arden has a shocking encounter in the death chute. Details Episode 9 Aired Dec 12, 2012 The Coat Hanger The Monsignor takes an unlikely convert under his wing; Lana secures a new piece of evidence that can exonerate Kit; Dr. Arden witnesses a miraculous return. Details Episode 10 Aired Jan 2, 2013 The Name Game The Monsignor confronts the Devil; Dr. Arden's experiments reach a shocking conclusion; Dr. Thredson facilitates a reunion for Kit. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 9, 2013 Spilt Milk Grace tells Kit devastating news about the aliens' experiments on Alma; Dr. Thredson receives an unexpected visitor; the Monsignor goes to extreme lengths to silence Jude. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 16, 2013 Continuum A deadly new inmate threatens Sister Jude's chance of release; Grace's obsession with the aliens turns violent. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 23, 2013 Madness Ends Johnny sets out to complete his father's work; Lana leads the charge to finally shut down Briarcliff. Details

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American Horror Story — Asylum

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Season Info

Synopsis Danger lurks around every corner for the patients, doctors and nuns who occupy the locked-down facility that is Briarcliff Mental Institution.
Executive Producer
Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Dante Di Loreto, Tim Minear
Network
FX
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Horror, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date
Oct 17, 2012
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